Desert Crocodile: A Vast Power Disparity

"Ancient Weapon - Pluton."

"Dubbed the most evil warship in shipbuilding history, a super-warship built by Water 7, capable of destroying an island with a single cannon blast. It now slumbers somewhere in the world, its location known only to Nico Robin, who can read the Poneglyphs."

Roman glanced at the blue-haired princess, Vivi.

"And that so-called 'Poneglyph' is buried in the royal mausoleum of Vivi's family."

This...

"Don't ask me how I know,"

Roman waved his hand, stopping the questions that were about to arise.

"All I can say is, these are facts! Not stories or fairy tales..."

"The current Crocodile is, on the surface, the 'Hero' of Alabasta, actively eliminating pirates and protecting commoners. But in reality, all of this is just preparation for his 'coup'."

"On one hand, he wins over the people as a 'Hero,' and on the other, he uses his 'Suna Suna no Mi' ability to stir up sandstorms everywhere, causing Alabasta's drought for years..."

"At the same time, he incites conflict between the King and the rebel army, making them fight each other. — I believe that when the time is right, he will definitely step forward to eliminate the 'tyrannical' royal army and save the people from dire straits."

"My father isn't..."

"You don't need to explain to me," Roman interrupted Vivi with a wave of his hand.

"You should consider how to explain it to those people, — although it's bound to be futile."

Devil Fruits are like a dimensional attack against ordinary people. And under the double blow of drought and hunger, whether the people have the patience to listen to explanations is also a big problem.

"Therefore: Nico Robin and Crocodile are in a cooperative relationship."

"In essence, Nico Robin is just a pure 'archaeologist'."

"Perhaps she's not a good person, but she's not too bad either. — So, when facing her boss, Crocodile, causing havoc in Alabasta and ruining thousands of lives, she's also very conflicted."

This was why the beautiful woman had come earlier to issue a warning and give him a Log Pose.

"Then why doesn't she just kill that Crocodile?"

Zoro, who had his hand on the three swords at his waist, asked. Ever since his weapons were easily knocked away by the opponent, he had maintained this vigilant posture, ready to draw his swords at any moment.

"According to your statement, Roman, this Nico Robin has a bounty of 79 million, and her boss Crocodile's bounty is only 80 million..."

Their strength seems very similar, doesn't it?

"No, quite the opposite."

Roman shook his head. In fact, he had been racking his brain during this time. Just thinking about fighting Crocodile soon made Roman wish he could split one minute into two for training!

If there were a Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he would at least train in it for ten years before coming out...

"Nico Robin's bounty of 79 million is because her archaeology violated the secrets of the World Government."

"Her strength... considering the uniqueness of her Devil Fruit ability, upon first meeting, it would be at most 50 million. Once you understand the characteristics of the 'Flower-Flower Fruit,' her combat power would be around 30 million."

Of course, this was just Roman's own estimation.

"On the other hand, Crocodile's so-called 80 million bounty is an old bounty amount. After he accomplished several major deeds in the New World, he accepted amnesty from the World Government. So his bounty has never increased."

"In my estimation..." Although Roman couldn't see his face, he believed his expression must be very grim.

Because even Luffy's face had turned serious.

"Crocodile's strength should be in the hundreds of millions!"

As for whether it's 2 or 9 hundred million, it's hard to say... After all, he was a formidable individual who was once on par with Bullet and later clashed with Whitebeard! Roman could only pray that when he lost to Whitebeard, he also lost his ambition, Haki techniques, and combat intelligence, otherwise—

A cheerful laugh leading to GG?

"Honestly, I can't even think of a way we can win against him..."

"Roman, it's not a matter of whether we can win."

Facing Roman's 'blunt truth,' Luffy adjusted his Straw Hat, his expression serious and his tone earnest.

"It's a matter of whether we have to go!"

"...Alright, I respect your decision, Captain."

After making eye contact with Luffy for a few seconds, Roman finally nodded. No matter how powerful he described Crocodile to be, Luffy wouldn't back down because of it. It was like Zoro facing Hawk Eyes; even if he was outmatched, he would never retreat!

However:

Crocodile is not like Hawk Eyes, who likes to mentor the younger generation. He is a confident, cruel, and intelligent strategist. Forget about defeating him; the chance of escaping from him is slim...

Are we really going to rely on Luffy's 'dumbing-down aura' and last-minute power-ups?

Absolutely not!

Roman lowered his eyelids, the light in his eyes suddenly disappearing, and he entered 'idle' mode again.

And on the deck, after a moment of silence, "Ahhh, Sanji! I'm starving..."

"Alright, alright, I'll go make food..."

As the sun gradually rose, Vivi, who had changed into a normal women's shirt, began to explain the weather of the Grand Line, but when she turned her head:

"Brothers, want to try my special drink~~~"

"Yeah!" x3

"Gulp!"

Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and even Vivi's mount, Running Fast, all raised their hands, causing the young princess, who had just listened to Roman's words, to feel her blood pressure surge!

"Is this really appropriate for them?!"

In response to Vivi's question, Nami handed her a cup of drink: a cold beverage made from oranges grown on the Golden Merry's aft deck. The oranges had been transplanted from Nami's home, serving both to adjust their taste and prevent scurvy.

"If a sudden situation arises, they'll immediately get serious."

"But... I'm still a little worried..."

Watching Luffy and the others gathered in a circle on deck discussing how to make fishing rods, Vivi was also infected by their cheerful atmosphere, her serious expression slowly softening.

"On this ship,"

Looking at the cheerful crew, and Roman, who was slowly transitioning to an 'ababa' expression while his ship sailed itself, Nami flashed a smile.

"All worries will vanish like smoke!"

"Mmm... but that guy... Roman..."

"Don't worry, Roman has always been like this."

Nami walked towards the ship's wheel with her drink, speaking as she went.

"He always exaggerates everything before a battle, but once he's in the fight,"

"He's incredibly reliable. I trust him—"

As she spoke, Nami reached Roman, who was 'dazedly' idling, and brought the drink in her hand to his lips.

"Drink some water."

Gulp, gulp~~

...Is this the trust between nakama?

Watching the Straw Hat Pirates, who were sailing towards a powerful enemy yet remained as usual, Vivi, the blue-haired girl, couldn't suppress a surge of envy.

"I see it,"

As time passed, an island appeared in everyone's sight.

"That's our next destination, an island called 'Little Garden'..."

"I'm a little worried about what Miss All-Sunday said..." Facing Vivi's caution, the others didn't think the same way.

"Our food is running low, we have to collect ingredients here..."

This was Sanji, speaking from a practical standpoint.

"Adventure, adventure! I smell adventure!"

This was Luffy, impatient.

"Very well, I'll stretch my legs too."

This was Zoro, who had just woken up from another nap.

Speaking of which, because Roman had been 'idling' so often lately, everyone's training had unconsciously stopped again...

And just as the Straw Hat crew was preparing to set foot on 'Little Garden,' at Twin Cape, two islands away.

"No, no!"

Facing 'Roman' being easily blown away once again, the old man named Croccus shook his head in disappointment.

"You'll never learn Armament Haki like this."

"Armament Haki is born when humans, facing countless enemies stronger than themselves! With an indomitable spirit, they temper an invincible will to fight through struggles against giant beasts, against people, and against natural disasters."

"Fighting with this fiery spirit allows one to unleash combat power that can shatter mountains with a punch, cleave the sea with a sword, and possess a hardness surpassing metal. This stems from the most fundamental soul belief, from the purest life force..."

"I understand the principle, Senior Croccus."

As the distance grew, Roman's 'White Knight' avatar was barely holding its form.

"But the biggest difference between humans and animals is that humans know how to learn."

"Haki learned through the system will never lose to primitive monkeys who understand nothing. I don't suppose you have any objections to that, do you?"

"...If you only seek shortcuts..."

"Power is power, no matter how it is obtained, it is real and undeniable."

Does one truly need life-or-death trials to be considered strong?

Enel from Sky Island has something to say. If it weren't for Luffy's Devil Fruit being a perfect counter, his hundreds of millions in strength would have been completely undiminished! Even without Armament Haki, he was still a powerful individual!

However:

The Paper-Paper Fruit is not the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and Roman is not Enel.

"Our future looks pretty bleak, Croccus-senpai."

"I don't understand why you, a junior just entering the Grand Line, are in such a hurry..."

Facing the ship doctor old man's question, Roman gave a wry smile.

"My captain is about to clash with one of the Shichibukai, 'Crocodile,' so I can't afford not to be anxious."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough!!!"

"What did you say—"

Facing the anxious Croccus, 'Roman,' who was already beginning to dissipate, waved his hand.

"Goodbye, senpai."

"Perhaps it won't be long before you see the news in the newspaper."

Either the Straw Hat crew would defeat Crocodile, or Crocodile would obtain an Ancient Weapon... In any case, it would be earth-shattering news. He just didn't know if he would still be around when that time came...

PS: Thanks to the book friend 'Qingsi Jun' for the reward and monthly votes, and also to book friends like 'Xiuka' and 'Jinyu Ming' for their monthly votes~~ Thank you.

Lastly, I'm also asking for free recommendation votes~~~